With a focus on driving financial inclusion, she actively engages in initiatives aimed at empowering underrepresented groups, delivering financial literacy training, and advocating for more accessible credit frameworks.
Melissa’s journey towards economic resurgence within Indigenous communities is grounded in her diverse background and extensive experience. With a keen understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing Indigenous entrepreneurs, Melissa actively participates in initiatives supporting local Edmontonians and Albertans at large.
Drawing from her educational background in psychology and business, Melissa brings a unique perspective to her work. She is dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship and economic growth among Indigenous youth, strategically partnering with ecosystems and influencing policies to promote Indigenous sovereignty and support ventures across various sectors.
Melissa’s unwavering dedication, coupled with her effective communication skills and passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion, positions her as a catalyst for positive change within Indigenous communities.

The KRSC operates in the municipal sector as a provider of essential services to the communities within its territory. The KRSC is mandated to offer services in land use planning, solid waste, economic development, tourism promotion, recreation planning, public safety, community development and regional transportation, which it succeeds in doing brilliantly thanks to the collaborative spirit and dynamism of its Board of Directors.
Building on her experience as a teacher, Isabelle continues her involvement with New Brunswick youth as the President of Improvisation New Brunswick. She volunteers her time as a referee and judge at high school improvisation tournaments, as well as with middle schoolers during the Jeux de l’Acadie. As a member of the LGBTQIA2+ community, she supports the development of policies promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. In her spare time, Isabelle likes to enjoy local parks and beaches, read, play video games and plan her next international trip.

Before working with the Government of Alberta he spent five years as a service designer and team lead in the British Columbia public service.
In addition to his professional practice, he is a sessional instructor at MacEwan University where he teaches a seminar on contemporary design issues. Davis also volunteers and is a board member of the Edmonton Tool Library, a not-for-profit which provides affordable access to hand, power, and garden tools to the community.
Originally from California, Davis moved to Canada at age 13 sparking a lifelong affinity for Edmonton, the city he still calls home. Outside of work you can find Davis in Edmonton’s beautiful river valley walking his dog Caro or on the pickleball court.
Davis holds a Bachelor of Design from the University of Alberta and a Master of Arts in Digital Experience Design from Hyper Island (UK)

He holds a Master’s degree in Community Planning and a Bachelor’s degree in Human Kinetics. Cody brings over five years of experience in public health. Complemented by earlier work in policy and planning as a consultant. In his spare time, Cody enjoys playing hockey and golf, exploring the outdoors through camping and hiking, and unwinding at home with movies or cheering on the Canucks.

Despite his prior training as a marine biologist, Gideon investigated the diversity of viruses associated with population declines of honey bees and other pollinators for his PhD. Gideon moved to Canada for a post-doctoral position at the University of British Columbia in 2016, where he discovered 15 new viruses in salmon. He went on to receive a Liber Ero Fellowship, which supports emerging conservation leaders in Canada. His most recent research applies viral genome sequencing to assess the transmission risk posed to wild Pacific salmon by Atlantic salmon aquaculture in BC. He has authored over 30 publications as well as served as an expert witness for two Federal Court cases in Canada.
For his Research Associate position within the Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, Gideon is partnered with the Pacific Salmon Foundation, and is part of a collaboration which is applying innovative molecular technologies to determine the cumulative factors that influence the survival of Pacific salmon.

Jeff is a noted expert on Canadian defence procurement and defence policy. He has published extensively, including dozens of reports and articles. His first book, “Reassessing the Revolution in Military Affairs” was published in 2015. A second book, titled “Canada’s Defence Procurement Woes,” came out in 2023. Since 2015, Jeff maintains an active part-time Adjunct Professor position at UPEI, teaching in two graduate International Relations programs. He is also a board member of the Banff Forum, one of Canada’s leading public policy conferences.
In recognition of his public service leadership with the Government of Prince Edward Island from 2016-22, Jeff was awarded a Ministerial Medal for Public Policy Innovation. In 2019, as a result of his work on Prince Edward Island-United States trade relations, he participated in the US State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program on US Foreign Policy Decision-Making. Prior to joining the PEI Public Service, Jeff was a policy advisor to Canada’s Minister of Veterans Affairs.
Jeff holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from Carleton University, a MA in International Relations from the University of Birmingham, a law degree from the University of Aberdeen, and a BA and Certificate in Public Administration from Memorial University of Newfoundland.

Elvis joined RBC after founding and leading a non-profit called Innovate Financial Health, an organization focused on scaling technology solutions that are improving the financial lives of vulnerable Canadians. Since 2018, IFH has worked with dozens of startups that have since raised an additional $85 million+ in capital and have helped hundreds of thousands of individuals build their financial wellbeing.
His previous experiences also include working with early-stage entrepreneurs at the MaRS Discovery District, on solutions to tackle wealth inequality at Social Capital Partners, and in strategy consulting at Kearney.
Outside of work, Elvis enjoys crosswords, birdwatching, camping, reading, and watching Survivor. He is a graduate of the Smith School of Business at Queen’s University.

Furthermore, he is involved in different organizations. He is, among other things, president of the microcredit committee of Quebec loan fund, vice-president of the Youth Wing of the Social Economy Project, administrator and treasurer of the Social Investment Network of Quebec (RISQ) and the social economy of the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region, Essor 02.
His deep interest in corporate governance issues developed during his involvement and encouraged Maxence to complete the university certification program in corporate governance from the College of Corporate Directors of Laval University. Maxence is also a Chartered Director (C.Dir. ) given that the program is recognized as a double diploma by The Director’s College of Mc Master University.

Having lived most of her life as an immigrant, she is particularly interested in issues related to women and immigrant communities, and more specifically in the place of immigrant women in society. Prior to philanthropy, she worked in a variety of fields (including insurance, online business and non-profit fundraising). She holds a PhD in Applied Health Sciences, a specialized graduate diploma in Bioinformatics from UQÀM, as well as an MBA from HEC Montréal.

He has served as Vice President, Business Development and Corporate Secretary for Northern Vision Development LP, a Yukon-based First Nation majority-owned development partnership, Associate Vice President of Advancement at Yukon University and held various roles within the Government of Yukon, including at the political and bureaucratic levels. He has recently taken on a role as Senior Advisor to the Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services, where, alongside a passionate team of health experts and advocates, he is working to drive positive outcomes for Yukoners, families, and communities. Though his professional roles have changed over time, he has maintained a passionate commitment to building a strong, vibrant, resilient northern Canada.

Blake is married to Christina Buckle, who runs a nonprofit dance school. Together, they are parents to two wonderful children, Odette (4) and Wyatt (2).

Prior to joining the IMF, Ziana held increasingly senior positions within the federal government at Health Canada and Finance Canada, including as Assistant Chief of Staff to the Deputy Minister of Finance. Through this experience, Ziana has had the opportunity to work on a wide range of files, including affordable housing, national pharmacare and COVID-19 response measures for businesses, and has been deeply involved in the coordination of several federal budgets.
Ziana also has experience in the non-profit sector, working as a monitoring and evaluation advisor for CARE Malawi on the Southern African Nutrition Initiative.
Ziana holds a Bachelor of Arts and Science from McMaster University and a Master of Economics from the University of Toronto.

She has also worked as an elementary school teacher in New York City and in Rochester, New York, where she developed a passion for culturally responsive pedagogy.
Heather is currently a fifth-year doctoral student at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education – University of Toronto, in the Social Justice Education program. She has been awarded a Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarship, through the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), a highly competitive national award competition. Her research centers reconciliation and reclamation of Indigenous ways of knowing in modern-day education systems.
Heather leads First Peoples Group, an Indigenous consulting firm that specializes in customized Indigenous cultural competency learning, engagement with Indigenous peoples, and reconciliation action planning.

She recently joined Climate Action Network Canada as the National Policy Manager, and previously worked at the Federation of Canadian municipalities in various climate-related positions. She has also run a dozen campaigns at the federal and municipal levels, supported or led various climate justice campaigns and worked for ENGOs in Montréal, Yellowknife, Ottawa and Gatineau.

Previously, Tyler was the Manager of Research and Analytics for Orenda Software Solutions, an artificial intelligence company that uses social media to measure public perception. Prior to that he worked for Membertou First Nation in Communications, and the Canada Housing and Mortgage Corporation in Capacity Development.
Tyler earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Anthropology from Saint Mary’s University and a Master of Arts in Sociology from the University of Guelph. In 2022, Tyler was accepted into the Governor General Canadian Leadership Conference. In 2023, he was accepted into the Indigenous Leadership Circle, a network of emerging Indigenous, Metis, and Inuit members to share, elevate, and advance their ideas.
Tyler has been a Sundancer since 2008 with the White Eagle Sundance in Elsipogtog, NB.

Cole is a Professional Engineer, has a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA, and is happy husband with three growing sons.

CDL is a multinational non-profit that brings together top talent from various sectors to accelerate the commercialization of scientific advancements for the betterment of humanity.
She is also an appointed member of the inaugural Commercialization and Partnership Committee (CPC) for the Acceleration Consortium (AC), the largest federal research grant ever awarded to a Canadian university.
Her professional achievements are complemented by her educational background in finance at the University of British Columbia. Even as a student, Lisa’s entrepreneurial spirit shone through as she initiated three award-winning projects. Her drive and determination are further exemplified by her journey of building a life from scratch in Canada after moving here alone at the age of 16 from South Korea. Lisa embraces her resilience and compassion, turning challenges into opportunities.
Outside of her work, Lisa finds joy in various artistic and cultural pursuits. She was once a competitive dancer, being part of performing teams in Korean traditional dance, K-pop, salsa, and bachata. Today, you’ll likely find her at a coffee shop or art gallery, attending orchestra, opera, or ballet performances, or simply enjoying the present moments with friends.

Before this, Aaron worked as a Trade Commissioner at the Consulate General of Canada in New York, helping tech companies navigate international growth.
Aaron’s diverse interests have taken him across the globe, engaging in a myriad of initiatives from promoting good governance to tackling socioeconomic issues. He’s been deployed to various regions such as post-Apartheid townships in Cape Town, polling stations in Ukraine and Malawi, and remote villages in Colombia. He’s also been part of trade and development missions in Central and South America, and Canada’s Arctic.
Notably, Aaron was Canada’s Youth Ambassador to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and a member of Canada’s Volunteer Awards National Advisory Committee.
After completing his Honors BA in International Relations at Western University in Canada, Aaron graduated cum laude with a Master’s in Politics and Security from the Academy of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, based in Kyrgyzstan.
Recognized as one of Canada’s Future Foreign Policymakers, Aaron also received the Queen’s Young Leaders Award from HM Queen Elizabeth II for his outstanding contributions.

Madison holds a Joint Honours in Math and Physics (McGill University, 2014), Master’s in Medical Physics (ULaval, 2016) and a PhD in Physics (ULaval, 2020), after which she worked as a clinical medical physicist in radiation oncology. She was a student advisor to Québec’s Chief Scientist (2016-2019) and a member of Canada’s Chief Science Advisor’s inaugural Youth Council (2020-2023), acting as a strong advocate at the science-policy interface for the next generation of scientists.

As an Optica Pivoting Fellow, Madison pursues her commitment to building bridges between science & society. She contributes her expertise as board member, mentor, and dedicated volunteer within local and international scientific and policy-focused organizations. Over the years, Madison co-led several initiatives for girls and women in STEM within her community as well as creative science outreach projects like La Terrasse Optique. Born and raised in Québec City, Madison loves to be outdoors – either (ultra)trail running, playing beach volleyball, or cycling.

Megan is an outspoken ally and a strong advocate for disabled artists and has published and presented internationally on topics related to disability art and culture, critical access studies, infrastructural politics, public and cultural policy, and environmental studies.

Megan holds a PhD in Theatre & Performance Studies from York University. Currently, she is the Research Facilitator in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Dalhousie University. She is also Reviews Editor for Performing Ethos: International Journal of Ethics in Theatre & Performance and a member of the Research Working Group with Mass Culture, an organization and network that seeks to enhance the equitable mobilization of arts and culture research.

Megan is also a classically-trained mezzo-soprano. She sings across a wide range of genres with particular expertise in new music and expanded vocal techniques. She is an active community volunteer and serves as a board member with Independent Living Nova Scotia and a member of the Canadian Caregivers Advisory Network (Caregivers CAN) with the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence.

Before joining the McKenna Institute, Melissa oversaw a portfolio of national ocean impact projects with Canada’s Ocean Supercluster and supported the growth of 40+ new ventures through the management of a business accelerator program. In 2017, she was a Global Accelerator Network Managing Director-in-Residence and spent three months working with ABC Accelerator in Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Melissa holds a Master of Public Administration from Dalhousie University and a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Mount Allison University. During her undergraduate studies, Melissa served as President of the Mount Allison Students’ Union and lobbied all levels of government on issues facing Canada’s post-secondary students.

Melissa lives in her hometown of Saint John, New Brunswick with her partner and their cat. In her spare time, Melissa enjoys connecting with nature through gardening, camping, and trips to the beautiful beaches throughout Atlantic Canada.